Legislator wants food security bill to address overfishing in BVI
Fifth District Representative, Kye Rymer said he hopes the new Food Security and Sustainability bill makes provision for overfishing in the Virgin Islands, especially as it relates to international fishers operating in the territory’s waters.
While making his contribution to the House of Assembly’s debate on the bill yesterday, Rymer said fishermen in the territory have been expressing concerns regarding international fishers in the territory’s water.
“I know right now we have our fisherman, and they go out there and make their catch, especially those long lines. Remember, there was a time when fishermen from other jurisdictions would come into our waters and catch our fish and usually as a territory we like to go overseas and go various places to buy certain things and we would make the trip and go elsewhere and still purchase the fish that was caught in our waters,” Rymer said.
“I know I have been in conversation with some fishermen, and they say those who frequent our waters maybe a hundred miles out. The Japanese trawlers, persons from China and all those places and the fishermen are a bit concerned because their catch is a bit reduced,” the Minister of Works added.
He said he hopes with this bill there will be better monitoring of the territorial waters to prevent overfishing from international persons which may result in under-fishing from local fishermen.
“Although it is ways out, it is important to maintain what we have and not overfish within our waters. That is a task the ministry should ensure is observed so that when our fishermen get those trawlers and big boats and they go out and they do those fishing out there, they would be able to bring back a healthy catch so we would be able to sustain ourselves, our restaurants and hotels and so forth. That is very important,” Rymer said.
Under the Food Security and Sustainability Act, the Agricultural Department is expected to become a statutory body. The act is expected to provide for the effective management and sustainable development of fisheries in the territory in accordance with international conventions and treaties to which the territory is a signatory.
It should also provide for the recognition of international norms, standards and best practices including the code of conduct for responsible fisheries.
The Bill was introduced to the House of Assembly yesterday by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Natalio Wheatley. Dr Wheatley had noted that once the bill is passed by the House, it is going to revolutionise the agricultural and fisheries sector in the Virgin Islands.
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So passing a bill will give us food security? That’s just words on a paper. The actual work needs to be done and if you are depending on Natalio to do work then this a another dead case.
I know right now we have our fisherman, and they go out there and make their catch, especially those long lines. Remember, there was a time when fishermen from other jurisdictions would come into our waters and catch our fish and usually as a territory we like to go overseas and go various places to buy certain things and we would make the trip and go elsewhere and still purchase the fish that was caught in our waters,” Rymer said.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is 100% BVi
political gibberish. Like a four year old telling
an adult what is going on in his world.
A graduate of Trump University.
The VI government (both parties) couldn’t keep a 45 ft boat maintained as a fireboat/rescue craft. They have wasted almost 1 million USD on it and it is still inoperable. And that was to operate around the main islands of BVI. Now you think you can patrol 100 miles offshore and stop Chinese fishing fleets? These guys must have a giant dartboard of bad ideas they pick from!
None of this will happen.
What we need is price control on food.
100 miles out is not BVI territory. Maybe someone needs to take a look at a map and learn the term “economic elusion zone?” 100 miles east you will be on SXM lol. These jokers.
You fellas believe BVI people dumb ?
VIP asked for a chance to go there and do better
Now we can compare Govermnents
You have helped to destroy the country is all fronts in all areas . Only the cronies of your govt wants you to get back there .
Too much vindictiveness . NDP was not a vindictive government . Alyo said all kinds of things about them nobody fired annyone. Ayo government famous for day
NDP government was also vindictive
How about putting a stop to over fishing with fish pots taking all the juvenile fish. this not only ruins fishing but worse it ruins Tourism that is much more profitable.
The minister needs to do some ocean research in regard to marine organisms that swim. The benthic habitat is the bottom dwelling marine organisms that don’t swim too far. The pelagic habitat is the sea surface to sea floor where marine organisms move with the current or swim their own migratory routes. No country owns the marine organisms in the pelagic habitat BUT when they swim though the 200 nautical mile Economic Exclusion zone north and south of the BVI then they are available to BVI fisherman from around 62-63West to 65W longitude. Timing is everything in pelagic fishing because life is always moving in the open sea. No sense patrolling the BVI’s EE zone when all the fish are in USVI or St. Martin’s EE zone or over 200 NM north or south of the BVI.
During the COI while being questioned, Gov Rankin made mention the the UK offered to provide free to the BVI, equipment for monitoring the movement of fish. Even including underwater cameras.
Our government in all their great and glorious wisdom refused it. Now they are in front the camera talking about food security.
Top to bottom, bottom to top….waste of time.
they need to look at the destruction of fish nurseries here and all the plastic pollution. plastic is making fish infertile – humans also. more and more studies are coming out about this and it needs to be addressed
Focus on your district to get your second term. You are beginning to sound like the last minute them . Do not disappoint us
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